A broken window and thrown paint can be see on the car carrying Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. Photo: Getty Images

Britain’s Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall react as their car is attacked, in London, Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010. Angry protesters in London have attacked. (AP)

A Rolls-Royce limousine carrying Britain’s Prince Charles and his wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, was attacked and 12 police officers were injured in London late Thursday amid violent student protests.

A rear window was smashed and the vehicle was splattered with paint as up to 20 demonstrators lunged at the vehicle, carrying the couple to a theater in the West End.

Clarence House said the couple were “unharmed” and they arrived on time at the London Palladium for the Royal Variety Performance, although the Duchess of Cornwall appeared shaken by the ordeal.

Reports said the vehicle was attacked with fists, kicks and bottles, with protesters chanting “Off with their heads!” and “Tory scum.”

“Everyone was just running up against it,” said one bystander, adding that the window was damaged by a thug wielding a protest sign.

Witness Adnan Nazir said the scene was “manic” and Charles pushed his wife towards the floor of the car to keep her safe.

Camilla later told reporters she was “fine” and joked about the incident before she and Charles reportedly left the venue in a police van, saying: “First time for everything.”

Clashes escalated among thousands of students gathered in parts of the capital Thursday evening after MPs controversially voted to increase UK college fees from £3,290 ($5,200) to £9,000 ($14,000) per year — a vote that saw splits within the ruling Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition.

At least 26 people were arrested for offenses including assault, arson and burglary and some 43 protesters needed hospital treatment.

Twelve officers were hurt in running battles, including one who suffered serious neck injuries and another whose leg was badly hurt when came off his horse.

Christmas shoppers and tourists were caught up in violent scenes when protesters rampaged along Oxford Street, smashing shop windows before focusing their attention on a Topshop store.

They targeted government buildings including the Treasury, where some were seen smashing toughened-glass windows, egged on by hundreds of cheering bystanders. Demonstrators also clashed with police at the nearby Supreme Court.

Angry scenes erupted in Parliament Square, with pockets of protesters involved in a prolonged stand-off with riot officers. Police responded by baton charging the crowd.

There were complaints that officers had been heavy-handed and one student told Sky News people were being injured and knocked unconscious as people tried to get out of the area.

Flares, paint bombs, snooker balls and other missiles were thrown at police, while a statue of Winston Churchill and a number of buildings, including the Treasury, were defaced with graffiti.

Demonstrators smashed down metal barriers as police struggled to contain the violence.

Officers tried to maintain control in Westminster by keeping demonstrators inside Parliament Square and were clearing people from the area by early Friday.

Prime Minister David Cameron said those involved in violence must face the “full force of the law”, while Home Secretary Theresa May praised the actions of police.